Bowling pin handling mechanism



March 29, 1960 A. J. ALBRECHT BOWLING PIN HANDLING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan 9, 1958 I INVENTOR. rJQZ rec/zfi alezahae March 29, 1960 A. J. ALBRECHT BOWLING PIN HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 9, 1958 2 Sheets-$heet 2 BOWLING PIN HANDLING WCHANISM Alexander J. Albrecht, West Englewood, N.J., assignor to Brunswick Automatic Pinsetter Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application January 9, 1953, Serial No. 708,015

13 t'llainas. (Qt. 2723-43} This invention relates an an automatic bowling pin setting machine and more particularly to bowling pin handling mechanism for an automatic pinsetter.

An object of this invention is to provide new and improved bowling pin handling mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved bowling pin handling mechanism wherein a distributor collects pins delivered thereto one by one and discharges a set of pins therefrom and is arranged to store a second set of pins delivered thereto one by one while still conditioned for discharging a set of pins upon demand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pin collecting and storing mechanism including an endless pin carrier having a plurality of pin holders with the carrier guided so as to have the holders overlie a setting device formed to receive a set of bowling pins in substantially triangular arrangement, means for indexing the carrier to locate alternate holders at a pin receiving station while locating alternate preceding holders at discharge stations above the setting device, and means responsive to discharge of a set of pins from the holders at the discharge stations for shifting said carrier half the normal index distance to align others of said holders at said discharge stations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device as defined in the preceding paragraph wherein there are holders for two sets of pins plus one and the pins of a first set are held in alternate holders and the pins of a second set are interposed between adjacent pins of the first set.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the bowling pin handling mechanism with parts broken away shown in association with parts of a bowling alley;

Fig. 2 is a plan section of the pin handling mechanism taken generally along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in elevation of a bowling pin holder shown holding a bowling pin; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the bowling pin holder in pin releasing position; and

Fig. 5 is a plan section on an enlarged scale of the drive mechanism for the pin distributor mechanism looking upwardly along the line 5-5 in Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawings, pin handling mechanism embodying the invention has a pin distributor indicated generally at 1 and is shown in association with a bowling ally having a bed 2 and kickbacks in the pit area one of which is shown at 3. Means are provided for delivering pins successively to the pin distributor 1 and comprises a cross conveyor, indicated generally at 4, which receives pins as they are elevated from the pit of the bowling alley and carries the pins forwardly to the pin distributor. Means are provided for receiving pins from the distributor 1 comprising a pin setting deck, indicated generally at 5.

The pin setting deck 5 is mounted by mechanism (not 2,930,617 .Ra'tented Mar. 29,. 1960 shaped frame It) which is formed with ten generally triangularly arranged pin receiving pockets 11 which hold pins in positions generally corresponding to the ten pin spots on the alley bed 2. As shown more particularly in Fig. 1, the frame 10 includes a middle frame 12 and a lower frame 13 which are fixed together and the lower frame 13 has a plurality of pin supporting rollers 14 associated one with each of the pockets 11 in the pin setting deck and which function in a manner more fully set forth hereinafter. An upper frame 15 is slidably mounted on the middle frame 12 for forward and rearward movement and the slidable frame 15 carries a plurality of shoes 16 associated one with each of the pin receiving pockets and also a collar 17. A fixed shoe 18 for each pocket is carried on the middle frame 12. Thus with bowling pins in the pin setting deck supported upon the rollers 14 movement of the slidable deck 15 towards the rear of the machine will cause bowling pins to travel off the pin supporting rollers 14 to positions where they may move from the pin setting deck through suitable openings in lower frame 13 onto the alley bed 2.

The pin distributor 1 has a frame 20 fixed in location above the alley bed 2 and above the pinsetting deck 5. This frame 20 supports an endless pin carrier 21 which as shown may be a timing belt which passes around pulleys 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 so as to have a path of travel overlying the pockets in the pin setting deck 5 and generally overlying the pin spots on the alley bed 2. The pin carrier 21 has a plurality of equally spaced apart pin holders 30 and there are twenty-one of these holders which is equal in number to twice the number of pockets in the pin setting deck 5 plus one additional holder. Referring to Figs.'3 and 4, one of the holders is shown and all of the holders are of the same construction. Each of the holders 30 comprises tongs having an arm 31 bifurcated at one end to form legs 32 and 33 suitably fastened to the carrier 21 and at its other end has a curved gripper 34 shaped to closely engage the head of a bowling pin adjacent the neck thereof as shown in Fig. 3. Another arm 35 of the tongs is pivotally mounted to the arm 31 by a pin 36 and at its lower end has a gripper 36a which is curved to closely engage a section of the head of the pin adjacent the neck thereof as shown in Fig. 3.

The arms 31 and 35 of a holder are'urged apart to the position shown in Fig. 4 by a spring 37 surrounding a rod 33. The spring 37 acts between a pin 39 on the arm 31 to which the rod 38 is connected and a pin 40 on the arm 35 in which the rod 38 is slidably mounted. A lock for holding the arms 31 and 35 in pin holding position comprises a lock member 41 pivoted on the pin 39 and formed with a notch 42 to engage the pin 40 on the arm 35 when the lock member is in its lower position as shown in Fig. 3. The lock member 41 is provided with an abutment 43 overlying the area in which a pin is held by the holder whereby the elevation of a bowling pin held in the holder to the position shown in Fig. 4 causes clockwise pivoting of the lock member 41 to raise the notch generally over each of the pin spots in a regulation bowling alley and over the pockets 11 in thepin setting deck 5. Each time the carrier 21 stops the pin holders have this arrangement. The carrier 21 travels in the direction of the arrows B.

i pin loading station indicated generally at A in Figs. 1 and 2 receives pins one by one from the cross conveyor 4 and places pins successively in the holders 30 located at the loading station A. Means are provided to index the carrier 21 a distance between pin spots (12" for ten-pins) on each indexing step so as to present alternate holders to the loading station A with the result that alternate holders preceding the holder at the station A will overlie the pockets on the setting deck 5. Thus when the tenth pin enters a holder 30 and the carrier is again indexed, there will be ten pins in the distributor generally overlying the ten pockets in the setting deck and the alley pin spots. The distributor 21 may continue to receive pins of a second set which will be received in holders interposed between the holders carrying the first set of pins and with the carrier 21 having 21 holders, the distributor may hold a maximum of 21 pins. With the carrier 21 having ten pins or a number in excess thereof the holders 30 will always be positioned to have loaded holders overlie the pockets in the setting deck 5 so that any time the setting deck 5 rises to a pin receiving position the distributor may discharge pins to the setting deck. Assuming there are 14 pins in the distributor, the setting deck will nottake the first ten pins to have been received in the distributor but will take the last four pins plus six pins of the first to be deposited in the distributor. When the setting deck 5 takes a set of pins from the pin distributor 1, the carrier is then indexed or shifted a distance equal to that between adjacent holders (6" for tenpins) to place another set of holders in sequence relative to the pockets on the setting deck so that subsequent indexes of the distributor will cause ten loaded holders to overlie the setting deck pockets as soon as ten pins have been received in the distributor.

The means for indexing the carrier 21 a distance equal to that between alternate pin holders 30 comprises a continuously driven pulley 50 which frictionally drives a clutch disc 51 having a detent 52 on the periphery thereof. The clutch disc is connected to a shaft 52a for pulley 23; mounted pawl 53 is engageable with the detent 52 to hold the disc 51 and carrier 21 against movement. A solenoid 54 is connected by a link 55 to the pawl 53 whereby each time the solenoid 54 is energized the pawl 53 is pivoted to move out of engagement with the detent 52 to release the disc 51 for rotation and the solenoid 54 is deenergized in time to return the pawl 53 to engage the detent 52 and stop the disc v51 after one revolution. The solenoid 54 is opposed by a spring 55a.

When the pin setting deck 5 takes a set of pins from the carrier 21, means are provided for shifting the carrier 21 half the distance of a normal indexing movement and this means comprises a plate 56 mounted for pivotal movement about a pin 5'7 and which carries the pawl 53 and pivotally mounts a second pawl 58 which is connected by a link 59 and a bell crank 60 to the link operated by the solenoid 54. A solenoid 61 is connected by a link 62 to the plate 56 whereby upon energization of the solenoid 61 the plate 56 is pivoted in a With this center to center distance clockwise direction to move the pawl 53 from engagement with the detent 52 and to move the pawl 58 into operative relation with the detent 52 so that the disc 51 is freed for one-half revolution which is one-half the normal indexing rotation of the disc 52. The pawl 58 then controls the successive indexes of the distributor. When the plate 56 pivots the solenoid 54 and linkage therewith will travel with the plate 56. A suitable electrical holding mechanism is provided for maintaining the solenoid 61 energized until such time as another set of pins is taken from the carrier 21 at which time the solenoid 61 is deenergized and a spring 63 is rendered operative to return the plate 56 to the position shown in Fig. 5. This again places pawl 53 in association with detent 52 after providing for one-half revolution of the disc 51.

The cross conveyor is supported by members '70 on the kickback 3 and has a rear set of pulleys 71 and a front set 72 about which belts 73 and 74 travel to advance bowling pins endwise therealong one by one in cooperation with the guide plates 75 and 76. A tip bucket 80 is located at the pin loading station A for receiving each pin as it comes off the cross conveyor 4 and is pivotally mounted as indicated at 81 for pivotal movement and urged to a pin receiving position shown in Fig. 1 by a spring 82. The tip bucket 80 as shown in the position of Fig. 1 receives a pin from the cross conveyor and gravity will cause the tip bucket to rotate clockwise to its limit position wherein a pin is inserted within a holder 30 located at the loading station A. A holder 30 will have its arms 31 and in pin holding position when disposed at the loading station A as a fixed closing cam 85 is disposed in a position immediately preceding thestation and is engageable with the movable arm 35 to move the arm to the position shown in Fig. 3 whereby the lock member 41 may drop into engagement with the pin 40 and hold the arms in pin holding position. The carrier 21 travels in the direction of arrows B so a holder is presented to the closing cam 85 before arriving at the loading station A. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the grippers 34 and 36a of each holder do not completely surround the head of a pin and are provided with a gap and this gap is presented to the loading station so that as the tip bucket pivots clockwise the neck of the pin will pass between the grippers and the pin will then be held by the grippers. As shown in Fig. 2 the solenoid 54 has a switch 86 associated therewith which is mounted in a position beneath the tip bucket whereby as the tip bucket reaches its limit position the switch 36 is closed to cause energization of the solenoid 54 to index the carrier. Also as shown in Fig. 5 a switch 87 is in circuit with the solenoid 61 and this switch is located in fixed relation on the frame 20 and overlies one of the pockets on the setting deck 5 so that as pins are taken from the holders overlying the pockets the lock member 41 adjacent the switch 87 will engage and close the switch to cause a shifting operation of the carrier to place an alternate set of holders in operative association with the pockets on the setting deck.

'I claim:

1. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine, in combination, a setting device formed to receive a, set of bowling. pins in substantially triangular arrangement, a cross conveyor adapted to deliver pins successively to a pin loading station, an endless pin carrier having a plurality of equidistant pin holders. there being holders for two sets of pins plus one, a series of pulleys for guiding said endless pin carrier in a substantially triangular path, means for indexing said pin carrier to locate alternate holders at said station for receiving a pin from the cross conveyor and locating alternate preceding holders at discharge stations above the setting device, a tip bucket positioned at the loading station pivotally mounted for receiving a pin from the cross conveyor and placing said pin in a holder at the loading station and means responsive to discharge of a set of pins from the holders at the discharge stations for shifting said carrier half the normal index distance to align others of said holders at said discharge stations.

2. Bowling pin handling mechanism comprising, in combination, pin setting mechanism having pockets, an indexible carrier positioned above the setting mechanism, means on said carrier for collecting and holding a first set of pins in a generally triangular setting arrangement adapted to overlie the pockets in said setting mechanism, means on said carrier for collecting pins of a second set with each pin thereof interposed between adjacent pins of said first set, and means responsive to-discharge of the first set of pins from said carrier for positioning said carrier to have the second set of pins overlie the pockets in said setting mechanism.

3. In an automatic bowling pin handling machine, in combination, a setting device formed to receive a set of bowling pins in substantially triangular arrangement, a cross conveyor adapted to deliver pins successively to a pin loading station, an endless pin carrier having a plurality of equidistant pin holders, there being holders for two sets of pins plus one, means for indexing said pin carrier to locate alternate holders at said station for receiving a pin from the cross conveyor and locating alternate preceding holders at discharge stations above the setting device, and means responsive to discharge of a set of pins from the holders at the discharge stations for shifting said carrier half the normal index distance to align others of said holders at said discharge stations.

4. In an automatic bowling pin handling machine as defined in claim 3 in which said holderseach include a pair of depending arms pivotally mounted together and engageable with the handle end of a pin, means urging the arms apart to increase the distance therebetween for release of a pin, and means for locking said arms in engagement with the pin and shiftable when engaged by a pin in the holder for releasing said arms whereby a pin is released therefrom.

5. In an. automatic bowling pin handling machine as defined in claim 3 in which said holders each include, a pair of depending arms pivotally mounted together and having spaced grippers engageable with a pin, means urging the arms apart to increase the distance between the grippers for release of a pin, releasable means for locking said arms in engagement with a pin, and a tip bucket pivotally mounted adjacent the loading station for receiving a pin from the cross conveyor and placing a pin in a holder by insertion between the grippers.

6. In an automatic bowling pin handling machine as defined in claim 3 in which said indexing means includes a clutch having a frictionally driven disc operatively connected to the pin carrier, a detent on the disc, a pawl selectively engageable with the detent and means for releasing the pawl from the detent to permit one revolution of the disc, and said means for shifting said carrier half the normal index distance includes a pivoted member mounting said pawl, a second pawl engageable with said detent positioned on said plate opposite said first pawl and connected for movement with said first pawl, and means for shifting said plate to move the second pawl into operative relation with the detent and the first pawl out of operative relation whereby the disc rotates one-half revolution and is subsequently controlled by second pawl.

7. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine, pin distributing mechanism including an endless flexible pin carrier including a plurality of pin holders, pin supports mounting said carrier to travel said holders in a generally horizontal triangular path of travel, means for driving said endless pin carrier, a plurality of substantially triangularly arranged stations corresponding in number to the pin spots on an alley bed and all of which are traversed by said holders in said movement of said carrier, there being at least holders equal in number to twice the number of stations plus one, means for delivering pins in succession to said holders at a' loading station, said carrier drive means being operable to move said carrier step by step to bring alternate holders to rest in succession at said loading station to receive a pin thereat, and means operable by each pin delivered to a holder at said station to initiate said step movement of said carrier to place alternate holders at said loading station.

8. In a bowling pin distributor for a bowling pin setting machine having a pin setting frame for setting pins on a bowling alley, an endless pin carrier, said carrier comprising a plurality of pin holders each having a movable pin holding device for maintaining a bowling pin handle end upright in the holder, separate means for moving each of said movable pin holding devices to free said pins in said holders for discharging said pins therefrom, means for supporting said carrier in a position to maintain said holders in substantially triangular pin playing arrangement, and similarly arranged pin receiving devices on said frame and located beneath said holders of said distributor for receiving said pins discharged from said holders, there being sufficient holders for two sets of pins whereby a second set of pins may be collected in the holders while the first set is still in the holders.

9. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine having a pin setting device formed to receive a selected number of pins in triangular playing pattern and to place said pins on an alley, pin distributing mechanism including an endless pin carrier having a plurality of pin holders equal in number to two sets of pins plus one, a holder loading station, means for moving said carrier through a closed path and locating alternate holders at said station, a conveyor constructed and arranged to deliver a bowling pin to each empty holder located at said station, mechanism for guiding the carrier to locate the holders having pins in substantially triangular pin pattern arrangement above said device and means eifecting the simultaneous discharge of pins from the holders in said pin pattern arrangement.

10. In an automatic bowling pin handling mechanism for the game of tenpins, in combination, a pin loading station, an endless pin carrier, means mounting the carrier for travel in a path arranged to overlie the ten pin spots on a bowling alley, twenty-one pin holders on said carrier equally spaced apart from each other, means for indexing the carrier step by step to present alternate holders to the pin loading station with alternate holders preceding the holder at the loading station adapted to overlie the pin spots, and means responsive to discharge of a set of pins from the holders to shift the carrier a distance equal to the distance between adjacent holders.

ll. In an automatic bowling pin handling mechanism, means for directing pins successively to a pin delivery station overlying a bowling alley, a setting device having pockets arranged to receive a triangularly arranged set of pins, means for receiving pins one by one from said first means, including an endless carrier overlying the setting device, a plurality of pin holders on said carrier equally spaced apart a distance approximately equal to half the center to center distance between pockets, there being a number of pin holders equal to twice the number of pockets plus one, means supporting the carrier to have alternate preceding holders generally overlie the pockets when a holder is at said station, and means for indexing said carrier a distance sufficient to present every other holder to said station.

12. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine, means fordirecting pins to a pin delivery station overlying a bowling alley, a setting device having pockets arranged to receive a triangularly arranged set of pins, means for receiving pins from said first means including an endless carrier overlying the setting device, a plurality of pin holders on said carrier equally spaced apart a distance approximately equal to half the center to center distance between pockets, there being a number of pin holders equal to twice the number of pockets plus one, means Supporting the carrier to have alternate preceding holders generally overlie the pockets when a holder is at said station, means for indexing said carrier a distance sufiicient to present every other holder to said station, and means for shifting said carrier the distance between adjacent pin holders when a set of pins is withdrawn from the holders.

13. Bowling pin handling mechanism comprising, in combination, an indexible carrier, means on said carrier for collecting and holding a first set of pins in a generally triangular setting arrangement adapted to overlie pin spots on an alley bed, means on said carrier for collecting pins of a 'second'set with each pin thereof interposed between adjacent pins of said first set, and means responsive to discharge of .the first set of 'pins from said carrier for positioning said second set of pins whereby they are adapted to overlie the pin spots on the alley bed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Fretter a Aug. 15, 1950 Zuercher Nov. 6, 1956 Holloway et a1 Feb. 12, 1957 

